How does diabetes affect the eyes?

Diabetes can cause severe damage to your eyes through a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye that acts like the film in a camera. It is nourished by a network of microscopic blood vessels. Chronically high blood sugar causes these tiny vessels to swell, weaken, and eventually leak fluid or blood directly into the eye. In advanced stages, the eye attempts to grow new, abnormal blood vessels to compensate, but these are incredibly fragile and obscure your vision, eventually leading to permanent blindness if left untreated. Because the early stages of retinopathy produce absolutely zero symptoms, you cannot wait until your vision gets blurry to seek help. By the time you notice vision changes, the damage is often severe. This is why it is strictly recommended that people with diabetes get a comprehensive, chemically dilated eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once a year. If caught early through these routine exams, laser treatments and injections can halt the progression and save your sight.